Whether you’re scrolling online or at your local pet store, you’ve most likely seen the words CBD on many products. As CBD products increasingly grow throughout the pet industry, it can often be confusing to know what exactly it is and how it can benefit your pet. If you’re unsure about how to start shopping for CBD for your dog—no need to fret, our friends at Pet Releaf are here to give you a CBD for dogs 101 lesson!
What is CBD?
CBD, an acronym for cannabidiol, is just one of the 100 natural plant compounds found in the hemp plant. These natural plant compounds are formally called cannabinoids. If you weren’t aware, all mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) present in their bodies. When CBD is consumed, it activates the ECS that creates a two-way communication system between the brain and various systems in the body, such as cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, and more. It is why you may hear about CBD helping out with so many different health conditions.
CBD and its interaction with the endocannabinoid system have been studied extensively in recent years. Research indicates that CBD can be used to treat a wide range of conditions in pets, including anxiety, seizures, chronic pain, and even cancer. Additionally, pet owners have reported that CBD has been effective in treating symptoms associated with arthritis, allergies, and digestive issues. It’s important to note, however, that while CBD has been shown to be a safe alternative to traditional medications, it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before introducing it to your pet’s daily routine.
Does Quality Matter?
Although you may conveniently see a reasonably-priced bottle of CBD at your local gas station, there’s a chance that the quality won’t be the best. As pet parents, we view our pets as equal family members, which means we don’t want to compromise on the quality of our pet supplements. Compromising on cheap brands that don’t offer any quality certifications, such as the USDA Organic Certification (U.S. Department of Agriculture), NASC Quality Seal (National Animal Supplement Council), or USHA Certification (U.S. Hemp Authority) may not be the most beneficial for your pet’s health.
Also, it’s important to research the ingredients on the pet CBD label to make sure they’re pet-friendly. Another way to tell if you’re purchasing CBD products from a quality brand is if their products are 3rd party laboratory tested with results ensuring quality and potency.
Hemp Seed Oil vs. CBD Hemp Oil
There is often a lot of confusion about the differences between hemp seed oil and CBD hemp oil. While hemp seed oil can offer an excellent protein source for your dog, it does not contain any CBD whatsoever. A full-spectrum CBD hemp oil extracts from the entire hemp plant—stalks, leaves, seeds, stems from retrieving all the beneficial cannabinoids from the hemp plant to support your pet’s overall health.
In addition to full-spectrum CBD hemp oil, there are also broad-spectrum and isolate CBD products available on the market. Broad-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids found in full-spectrum CBD oil, except for THC, which is removed during the extraction process. Isolate CBD products, on the other hand, contain only pure CBD and no other cannabinoids. While full-spectrum CBD products are generally considered to be the most effective, some pet owners prefer broad-spectrum or isolate CBD products due to personal preference or specific health concerns.
The Benefits of CBD for Dogs
With a pet’s endocannabinoid system, CBD can work in a multitude of areas in your dog’s body. Below are just some of the most popular reasons why pet parents seek out CBD for their pet’s wellness.
Hip & Joint Health
After a long walk or hike, sometimes your dog can experience discomfort in their hips or joints. This is especially beneficial for aging dogs who are currently struggling with mobility and flexibility as they grow older. Try administering CBD for your dog’s occasional discomfort after a strenuous hike or a long day of play at the dog park to help ease the discomfort in their joints.
Digestive Health
While having an upset stomach can often be uncomfortable for us humans, our pet companions can experience a similar discomfort as well. As CBD can assist numerous body systems, the digestive system is just one of those many systems. Support a healthy digestive tract in your dog’s body by administering CBD when experiencing occasional digestive stress.
Overall Wellness
Even if you already have a healthy puppy in your household, supporting their overall wellness daily can help keep your healthy pup healthy! Administering CBD can do wonders for your dog’s immune system, and a healthy immune system is a key to keeping your pet’s wellness in check. Start adding a daily CBD supplement to your pet’s daily regimen to give their immune system a boost.
Situational Stress
Long car rides, being home alone, and loud noises all have the possibility of stressing out our pets. CBD has calming and soothing properties that can help your dog feel relaxed during high-stress situations. Creating a safe, comfortable space for your pet along with CBD may make for a more calming experience when loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms start booming in your area.
While CBD can be effective in treating a variety of health issues, it’s important to note that it’s not a cure-all. CBD should always be used in conjunction with other veterinary treatments and lifestyle changes to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet. Additionally, while CBD is generally considered to be safe for pets, it’s always best to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it over time to avoid any potential side effects. If your pet experiences any adverse reactions to CBD, such as lethargy or vomiting, discontinue use immediately and consult with your veterinarian.
How Do I Administer CBD to My Dog?
Pet CBD products should have recommended usage amounts on their packaging based on your pet’s weight. Follow the instructions on the packaging to administer correctly to your dog. The recommended usage is always just a recommendation as some pets may need more or less CBD to work for them. Sometimes it takes a bit of playing around with the usage amounts to see what works best for your pet companion.
It’s also important to note the administration method to see if the product should be administered on an empty stomach for max absorption or if it can be administered during or after mealtime!
When Do I Administer CBD to My Dog?
Everyday! Although you don’t have to administer CBD to your dog everyday, it is recommended for everyday usage to support your dog’s immune system and everyday wellness. Suppose you’re not looking to use CBD daily. In that case, you can always administer as needed, such as during stressful situations, occasional joint discomfort, or stomach upset.
Try Pet Releaf CBD for Pets
Pet Releaf CBD for pets is an excellent option for your best pet companion. Pet Releaf mission is to change what healthy means for pets. They oversee their entire process from seed to sale, from plant to pet, to ensure pet parents receive quality CBD products for their pets. From Hemp Oils, Edibites, Topicals, and Capsules, they’ve created products with all-natural, functional ingredients to create pet products for a lifetime.
Not sure which CBD product is the perfect match for your dog? Try out Pet Releaf’s Product Finder! They provide custom product recommendations based on your pet’s age, weight, and specific health needs.
Create a Personalized Training Plan for your Dog
Create a Personalized Training Plan for your Dog
